Nola and Paul Snyder have been recognized by TripAdvisor with a Certificate of Excellence for their tourism business Coffee Cove Seaside Retreat.

The designation recognizes establishments that consistently earn great TripAdvisor reviews through tripadvisor.ca from travellers for at least 12 months. Guests who stayed at the Green Bay retreat’s Baker House in 2016 described the home as “a marvellous spot.” “There was detail about the family who had originally lived in the house, I cannot imagine raising 11 children in a tiny house,” one guest wrote. “The Baker cottage was the high point of our trip to Newfoundland, I wish we could have stayed longer and we definitely will be back.”

The lighthouse is not just a unique attraction outside, but beautiful inside.

Nestled in the heart of scenic Green Bay, Coffee Cove Seaside Retreat is just a 15-minute drive from Springdale. Known locally as "The Baker House” the 150-year-old saltbox-style home was lovingly renovated by Nola and Paul Snyder. On the same property there’s a bed and bed-and-breakfast unit in the main house as wekk as a unique lighthouse-style, one-bedroom cottage the owners built in 2011. “The lighthouse is quite the labour of love, and it certainly put us on the map,” Nola said in an interview. Nola is originally from New World Island but, like many Newfoundlanders, left home after school to pursue a career on the mainland. She met her husband Paul Snyder while living in Ontario. He was born and raised in the small town of St. Jacob’s, Ont. After raising three children in Ontario, the couple decided to make Newfoundland their home. They moved to Coffee Cove in 2009. “My background is in marketing and sales, and my husband is in the construction business, so we thought this type of business would be perfect for us,” Nola said.

The Retreat’s bed and breakfast is stunning inside and out.

When asked why her business – in a community of less than 20 people – has earned a Certificate of Excellence, Nola said she strives to create a personal touch for guests. “We insist on direct contact with the people who are booking,” she said. “We don’t believe in a third party on-line booking. “We talk to them on the phone ... people know exactly what they’re getting when they get here.” Paul is a board member of Adventure Central Newfoundland. While the retreat is Nola’s company, she said, her husband is very much part of the business. “Paul helps me with everything,” she said. “He’s just as important (to the business) as I am.” “We want our guests to get the full experience of Newfoundland, and not just the Newfoundland hospitality,” she said. “In season, we take them to beachside to get fresh lobster. We’ll have a lobster boil-up. We’ll take them mussel-picking here in the cove and do mussel-bakes on the fire for them.”

It’s apparent, from the on-line comments, those touches are appreciated. “They have thought of everything that one could possibly want, down to marshmallow forks for the bonfire they'll build if the wind and the weather are favorable in the evening,” one guest wrote. While another said, “We stayed for three nights and would have very happily stayed longer.” Operating a business has given the couple an opportunity to meet people from all over the world. “We’ve had guests from Germany, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, France ... and we eally enjoy having them with us,” she said. Visit www.coffeecoveretreat.ca for more information on the retreat.